Stenographic machines



Sept. 1:), 1959 H. B. SMITH 2,904,157

STENOGRAPHIC MACHINES Filed March 27, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 p 1 9 H. B.SMITH I 2,904,157

. STENOGRAPHIC MACHINES Y Filed March 27, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Awe/2751'.- //owara Sept. 15, 1959 L H. B. SMITH STENOGRAPHIC MACHINES 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 2'7, 1957 United States Patent STENOGRAPHICMACHINES Howard B. Smith, Washington, D.C.

. Application March 27, 1957, Serial No. 648,915 14 Claims. (Cl. 191-9This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stenographicmachines or so-called stenotype or stenograph machines used for typingshorthand.

Such machines usually employ a set of type bars movable toward and awayfrom a platen, an inking ribbon being interposed between the platen andthe type bars so that an impression is made upon paper passing over theplaten when the type bars are actuated. The ribbon is in the form of arelatively short, endless band which passes partly around a combinedribbon inking and driving spool, the latter containing an ink supplywhich is transmitted to the ribbon at the same time as the ribbon isdriven by the spool.

The principal object of the present invention is to substantiallyimprove the ribbon mechanism in general, and particularly from thestandpoint of increasing the supply of ink, so that the machine may beoperated for prolonged periods without the necessity for reinking.

The above object is attained by providing themachine with two ribboninking spools inplace of the one conventionally used, whereby the inksupply in the improved machine is literally doubled.

As a result of utilizing two spools, the length of the ribbon isincreased, so that the longer ribbon is subjected to less wear than theconventional shorter ribbon, in the performance of a given amount ofwork.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for urgingthe ribbon into engagement with the two spools selectively, whereby inkmay be transferred to the ribbon from one spool when the supply of inkin the other spool is exhausted, or whereby ink may be transferred tothe ribbon simultaneously from both spools, of an extra heavy impressionis to be made by the type bars.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved driving means forthe ribbon spools, which do not employ expensive gearing conventionallyutilized for this purpose. 7 Another object of the invention is toprovide improved spring means for biasing the type bars away from theplaten after the type bars are actuated. 1 Another object of theinvention is to provide'improved means for actuating the shiftermechanism of the type bars 2,904,157] Patented Sept. 15, 1959 ice .spool driving means;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail, showing the means for urgingthe ribbon into engagement with the spools;

Figure 4 is a group perspective view of the bracket and pawl of drivingmeans;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail, showing pawl means forpreventing reverse rotation of the spools;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pawl per se, shown in Fig.5; I

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the machineshowing the improved spring means for biasing the type bars;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially in the planeof the line 8--8 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a group perspective view of the biasing spring and itssupport means;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional detail, on a slightly enlargedscale as compared to Figure 7, and illustrating main and auxiliarybiasing springs;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the auxiliary biasing 7 spring;

shifter strap.

for bringingthe upper and lower cases-of type thereon selectively inalignment with the platen. a I Some of the advantages resulting from theabove outlined improvements reside in a greater efficiency and duraembodying the improved ribbon mecha Figure 12 is a fragmentary sideelevational view of the machine showing the improved shifter mechanism;

.Figure 13 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof;

' Figure 14 is a fragmentary rear end view of the same;

Figure 15 is a vertical sectional detail on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially in the plane of the line 1515 in Fig. 12;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a bottom stop bracket used in theimproved shifter mechanism;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a top stop bracket used therein, andi Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of th Referring now to theaccompanying drawings in detail, particularly to Figures 1-6 inclusive,it should be understood that the same illustrate only the operatingcomponents of the machine with which the invention is concerned, thearrangement of all other components being conventional and well known inthe art, so that a detailed explanation and illustration thereof hereinis unnecessary.

As such, the frame of the machine is designated by the numeral 15, thesame carrying a set of type bars 16 which are slidably movable towardand away from a platen 17. An endless inking ribbon 18 passes betweenthe platen and the type bars, its positon and movement being guided byconventional guides 19, 20, carried by the frame.

In conventional machines the ribbon 18 passes around a single spoollocated centrally of the frame, but in accordance with the instantinvention, two such spools 21 and 22 are provided. These spools, per se,are conventional in structure, each having a core of absorbent ma-'terial 23 which is impregnated'with ink so that the ink is transferredto the ribbon when the latter passes around the spool, it beingunderstood that the absorbent cores of the spools may be re-inkedthrough openings 24 wit which the tops of the spools are usually formed.The two spools 21, 22 are mounted side-by-side at the top' of the frame15 by removable pins 25 and the ribbon 18 passes around the spools asshown. The ribbon is relatively slack, but means are provided for urgingthe ribbon into engagement selectively with the two spools, as will bepresently explained. As is best 'shownin Figure 3,..a-icurved' arm 26 ispivotally mounted at one end thereof on an upstanding stud 27 providedon' the frame 15, while the other end'of this arm carries a rotatable 15and the arm 26, and a coil spring 31 is positioned on this spacer, oneend of the spring being suitably anchored to the frame, while its otherend engages the arm so as to urge the same toward the spool 21. As thisoccurs, the roller 28 causes the ribbon 18 to engage the ink impregnatedcore of the spool so that ink from the core is transferred to the ribbonwhile at the sarne tir'ne the ribbon is 'Jdriven by rotation of thespool, as will be hereinfter described.

A locking pin 32;:biasedby a spring 33, is provided intermediate theends of the arm 26 and has the lower end portion thereof receivable in alocking aperture 34 formed in the frame 15 at such point that when thelockingpin is in the aperture, the arm 26 is held away from the spool 21to facilitate convenient changing of the spool or the ribbon; V

similar means are provided for urging the ribbon into engagement withthe second spool 22, wherein the corresponding parts are designated bythe numerals 26', 27, 28' and 32', The arrangement of these parts is thesame as that shown in Figure 3:

The machine may be used with the arm 26' in its inoperative positionwherein the roller 28 does not press -the ribbon against the spool 22,so that the ribbon receives its ink supply mainly from the spool 21-.When the supply of ink in the spool 21 is exhausted, the arm 26 may bereleased from its inoperative position so that the roller 28' pressesthe ribbon against the spool 22 to transrnit ink from that s'pobl to theribbon. If desired, both arms 26, 26 maybe placed in their operativepositions to transfer ink to the ribbon simultaneously from both spools,when an extra heavy impression is to be made by, the type bars 16;Moreover, both arms may be locked in their inoperative positions wheneither the ribbon or the spools are to be changed:

For purposes of driving the ribbon, only one of the two spools needs tobe positiveiy driven, such drive means being taken from a crank 35secured to a rock shaft 36 at one side of the frame ;15 in accordancewith conventional practice. The crank 35 is subjected to oscillatorymovement when any of the keys 37 actuating ,the type. bars 16 isdepressed, and in conventional ma chines drive from the crank 35 to thespool is taken through the medium of a complex ratchet mechanism and ars- However, in the instant invention a simple friction drive isprovided, the same involvin the provision of a friction disc 38 ofsuitable material such as hard rubber, or the like, which underlies thespool 21 so that when the disc is rotated-,the spool, r'otatestherewith. The disc 38 projects beyond the peripheryof the spool and theperipheral edge portionof the disc is operatively enlgaged by thefreeend of a pawl 39. The other end of thispawl is curved to form abearing 40 for a pivot pin 41 whereby the pawl is hingedly attached to ayoke 42 formed integrally with a bracket 43 which; in turn, is rigidlysecured to the crank 35 by suitable screws 44. A tension spring 45extends from the pawl 39 to a suit able anchor pin 46 on the frame 15whereby to urge the pawl into driving engagement with the disc 38, itbeing apparent from the foregoing that when the crank 35 i s oscillated,the pawl will impart an intermittent unidirectional rotation to the discand to the associated spool 21, as indicated by the arrow 47.

Reverse rotation 'of the spool is prevented by a second pawl 48 whichalso engages the periphery of the disc 38 and is provided with, abearing .49 to receive a mount ing post or pin 59 onthe frame 15. Asuitable tension 51 urges the pawl 48 into contact with the disc '38, aswill be clearly apparent. V

7 It will be notedthat by providing two spools in place o f the usualone, the inking capacity is literally doubled. Moreover, the provisionof the two spools results in the us e of a somewhat longer ribbon,whereby the ribbon is subjected to lesser wear in performing a givenamount oiworh, i

Referring now to Figures 7-11 of the accompanying drawings which alsoillustrate only the operating components of the machine with which theinvention is concerned, the type bars 16 are operatively connected tothe actuating keys 37 by a set of bell cranks 55 which are rockablymounted on a cross shaft 56 in the frame 15 and are in engagement withthe inner ends of the key bars 57 supported by a cross shaft 58. Whenany one of the keys 37 is depressed, the r'nbvem'ent of the associatedkey bar 57 rocks the associated crank 55 in the direction of the arrow59 and the associated type bar 16 is thereby slid toward the platen i7.In their undepressed position, the key bars 57 abut the topside of abank bar 60 and resilient means are provided for urging the type bars 16away from the platen. In conventional machines such means consist of aset of individual tension springs, one for each of the type bars, suchsprings being attached at one end to the pivotal connections 61 betweenthe re spec'tive type bars and the respective bell cranks, and beinganchored at their other end to anchoring pins provided on the frame. Assuch, the conventional construction requires the use of several springs,the assembly of which is a tedious task.

In accordance with the present invention, such indi-' vidual tensionsprings are eliminated and a single combshape'd spring '62 is used. Thisspring is best shown in Figure 9, wherein it will be noted that thespring includes a transverse b'ack portion 62a and a set of transverselyspaced, projecting, resilient fingers 62b. The back portion 62a of thespring is clamped between a pair of holder straps 63', 64 by a pluralityof screws '65 disposed in registering apertures 66 with which the parts62a, '63 and 64 are formed.

The ends of the strap 63 are provided with apertured ears 67 which aresecured to the frame 15 by screws 68 so that the entire spring assemblyis disposed adjacent the bell cranks 55, as shown. The spring fingers62b bear upon lobes 69 formed on the cranks 55 and individually bias therespective cranks so that the type bars 16 are individually urged totheir retracted or inoperative positions; This arrangement not onlyeliminates the use of the conventional set of tension s rings, but alsoproduces a lighter and a more 'eflicient touch on the keys 37 when themachine is operated.

The keys 37 of the machine are usually arranged in banks so that the keybars 57 are of difi'erent lengths and consequently do not have the samemechanical advantage with respect to their fulcrum 58 in operating thebell cranks and type bars; As a result, the pressure required to depressthe keys varies with the different keys and the operating touch in aconventional machine is not uniform. An effort has been made in the pastthe eliminatethis disadvantage by using individual tension springs ofdiflerent resiliencies, but such a remedy not only still required a setof individual springs, but also made it possible for errors to occurwhen installing the springs in position 'so that a spring of theappropriate tension became associated with the ball crank of theparticular type bar with which such a spring was intended to be used.

The instant invention avoids all the disadvantages above outlined by theprovision of an auxiliary spring 70, best shown in Figure 11. Thisspring is similar to the aforementioned spring 62 and includes a backportion 70a and a plurality of resilient fingers 70b. However, thefingers 70b are provided only for bell cranks associated with key barswhich are relatively light to depress, rather than'be'ing provided foreach bell crank, as are the fingers 62b. The spring 70 is superposed onthe spring 62 between the holder straps 63, 64 so that the fingers 70b,where provided, are in register with the fingers62b. Gonsequently, some'of the bell cranks are biased *by two superposed spring fingers whileothers are biased by the single finger 62b only, and the resultingdiiference in resiliency 'efiectively compensates for differentmechanical advantages of the different key bars, s5

that virtually uniform touch is all of the keys.

If desired, more than one auxiliary spring 70 may be superposed on thespring 62, so that some of the bell cranks are biased by three or morespring fingers, thus effecting a fine degree of compensation byresiliency for the diiferent mechanical advantages of the different keybars. It is to be understood that the fingers 70b may be provided on theauxiliary spring or springs 70 at whatever points required, so as toaffect the bell cranks for any desired key bars in the set.

By omitting the conventional individual tension springs of the type bars16, a bar to which such springs are anchored is alsoomitted. As aresult, the lower horizontal arms of the bell cranks 55 may belengthened as shown in Figure 7 beyond the point where they arecontacted by the key bars 57 and the power of the springs 62, 70 at thecontactpoints 69 is greatly increased.

In accordance with conventional practice, the type bars 16 are'prov-idedwith upper and lower cases of type 71, 72, respectively, and areswingable in vertical planes about their pivots 61 so that the upper andlower type cases may selectively be brought into a alignment with theplaten 17. e type bars rest upon a cross bar 73 which, in turn, issupported by a strap 74, one end portion of the latter projectingoutwardly through an opening 75 in one side of the frame 15. The crossbar 73 is also supported at the ends thereof by crank means (not shown)pivoted coaxially with the pivots 61 of the type bars, the arrangementbeing such that when the strap 74 and the crank means are in theirinitial position, the upper type cases 71 are in alignment with theplaten. On the other hand, when upward force is applied to the outwardlyprojecting end of the strap 74, the crank means and all the type bars 16are swung upwardly about the pivots 61, so thatthe lower type cases 72are in alignment with the platen.

' The above outlined arrangement is quite conventional in the art, theimprovement in accordance with the invention being concerned with theoperative connection between the projecting end of the strap 74 and theshifter arms 76"at opposite sides of the frame, by which the shiftermechanism is actuated. These shifter arms are fulcrurned, on the aforementioned cross shaft 58 and carry at their keyboard endsa transverseshifter bar 77 which is disposed adjacent the keys 37.

A, substantially upright link78, having an arcuate upper end 78a, isrigidly fastened to one of the shifter arms 76 adjacent the projectingend portion of the strap 74 and the latter is provided with a forwardextension 74a, as is best shown in Figure 18. The arcuate upper end 78aof the link 78 engages the underside of this extension and the link issecured to the arm 76 by a plurality of screws 79, so that when theshifter bar 77 is depressed, the link 78 forces the strap 74 upwardlyand correspondingly shifts the type bars 16 from the upper to the lowercase position. The link 78 is formed with a vertical slot 80 to receivethe screws 79 whereby the link may be vertically adjusted with respectto the associated shifter arm 76 in order to give the appropriate amountof movement to the type bars. This adjustment is simple and may beeasily effected without the necessity of bending or twisting any of theparts. Moreover, the shifter arm 76 is provided with sets of apertures81 to receive the screws 79, whereby the link 78 may be secured to theshifter arm at various distances from the fulcrum 58 in order to adjustthe amount of pressure or touch required for depression of the shifterbar 77. The extension 74a of the strap 74 is sufficiently long to permitengagement of the link 78 therewith, regardless of the position of thelink on the shifter arm 76.

Stop means are provided for the arm 76 in the upper case position of thetype bars 16, these stop means comprising an angle bracket 82 which issecured to the frame 15 by a plurality of screws 83 and abuts theunderside required for depressing of the arm 76. The bracket 82 isformed with a vertical slotf84'to receive the screws 83, whereby theposition of thebracket may be adjusted so that in the initial position'of the shifter bar 77, the upper case 71 of the type bars is alignedwith the platen 16. The lower edge portion of the arm 76 is preferablyoutturned as indicated at 85 to abut the outturned poriton 82a of thestop bracket, as shown. A suitable tension spring 86 extends from anapertured ear 87 on the strap extension 74a to an anchor pin 88'on'theframe 15, whereby the entire type bar supporting means 73, 74 andactuating means 76, 78 are urged to the initial position wherein the arm76 contacts the stop 82.

Stop means are also provided for the arm 76 in the lower case positionof the type bars 16, these stop means comprising a bracket 89 which issecured by a plurality of screws 90 to the frame 15 and is provided withan outturned portion 91 which abuts the upper surface of the strap-74when the latter is shifted upwardly by the link 78 to the lower caseposition of the type bars. For purposesof adjustment, the bracket 89 isformed with a vertica1-slot 92 in which the screws 90 are disposed, aswill be clearly apparent. Suitable pads 82b and 91a are provided on theportions 82a and 91 of the respective brackets '82 and 89, these padsbeing of suitable resilient material so as to avoid a metal-to-metalcontact with the portion of the bar member is upwardly ofiset asindicated at 9311, so that it does not interfere with other parts underthe frame of the machine. It is necessary to provide the actuating link78 on the shifter arm 76 only at one side of the machine, but

- if desired, the same may be duplicated on the opposite side by alsoextending the strap 74 from the frame of the machine at that side andproviding another link 78 on the arm 76 on that side of the machine.

While in the foregoing there has been described and shown the preferredembodiment of the invention, variousmodifications may become apparent tothose skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, itis not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure, and variousmodifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a stenographic machine including a frame, a platen and a set oftype bars carried by said frame, the combination of an endless inkingribbon movable between said platen and said type bars, a pair of ribboninking spools rotatable on said frame, means for urging said ribbon intoengagement selectively with said spools, and means for driving one ofthe spools.

2. In a stenographic machine including a frame, a platen and a set oftype bars carried by said frame, the combination of an endless inkingribbon movable between said platen and said type bars, a pair of ribboninking spools rotatable on said frame, means for driving one of saidspools, and means for urging said ribbon mto engagement with at leastone of the spools, said last mentioned means comprising an arm pivotedto said frame for movement toward and away from the associated spool, aroller carried by said arm, and resilient means for urging said armtoward the associated spool whereby said roller may engage said ribbon.

3. The combination is defined in claim 2 together with means for lockingsaid arm in an inoperative positron wherein said roller is out ofengagement with said ribbon.

4. The combination as defined in claim 3 whereii'1 said last mentionedmeans comprise a spring-pressed loeki ng pin carried by said armreceivable in a locking aperture formed in said frame. I s s v 5. In astenographic machine including aframe, a platen and a set of type bars'eairied said frame, and a crank provided at one side of the frame andadapted for oscillatory movement in a vertical plane when said type barsare actuated, the combination of endless inking ribbon movable betweensaid platen and said type bars, a ribbon inking spool mounted at the top'of the frame for rotation in a horizontal plane and having said ribbonin engagement therewith, and means for driving said spool, said lastmentioned means comprising a friction drive disc underlying androtatable with said spool, abracket secured to said crank-,a pawlpivotedto said bracket and resilient means for urging said pawl intofrictional driving engagement with the periphery of said disc.

6. The coinbihationals defined in claim 5 together with means forpreventing reverse rotation of said disc. 7. In a stenographic machine,the combination "of a frame, a platen mounted thereon, a set of typebars movable toward and away from said platen, a set of individualactuating cranks for the respective type bars in the set, and resilientmeans for urging the type bars away from the platen, said meanscomprising at least two superposed unitary comb-shaped springs mountedin said frame, one of said. springs including a set of individuallymovable resilient fingers engaging the respective cranks and the otherspring including a plurality of individually movable resilient fingerssuperposed on and coacting with only certain predetermined fingers ofthe first spring, whereby certain predetermined cranks are each biasedby atleasttwo superposed coacting spring fingers and the remainingcranks are each biased by one spring finger only.

7 8. Ina'stenographic machine, the combination of a set of type barsshiftable vertically between upper and lower type case positions, atranverse strap for sup"- porting and shifting said type bars, saidstrap having an end portion projecting laterally outwardly throughanopening in the frame of the machine, a shifter arm pivotally attachedto the machine frame for movement in a vertical plane, and a linkrigidly secured to said shifter arm and engaging the underside of theprojecting patron of said snap, whereby to ap-aaavay connect said strapto said arm. v I

9. The combination as d'efin e'difi claim 8 together with stop meansprovided on the machine frame and engageable with said arm in the 'uppercase position of said type bars, and means for adjusting said stopmeans.

10. The combination as defined in claim 8 together with stop meansprovided on'th'e machine frame and engage able with said arm in theupper case position of said type bars, means for adjusting saidst'oprneans, and resilient means for urging said arm 'agaihst the stop means.

11. The combinationas defined in claim 8 together with stop meansprovided onthe machine frame and engageable with said strap ,in thelower case position of said type bars, and means for adjusting said stopmeans.

12. The combination as defined in claim 8 together with means foradjusting said link in a vertical direction relative to said arm.

13. The combination as defined claim 10 together with means foradjusting said link longitudinally of said arm.

l4. In a stenographic machine, the combination of a frame, a platenmounted thereon, a set of type bars movable toward and away from saidplaten, a set of keys, sets of links op'eratively connecting therespective keys to the respective type bars for moving the latter towardthe platen, and resilient means for urging the type bars away from theplaten, said resilient mean s comprising at least two superposed unitarycomb-shaped springs mounted in said frame, one of said springs includinga set of individually movable resilient fingers engaging the respectivesets of linksand the other spring including a plurality of individuallymovable resilient fingers superposed on and coacting with only certainpredetermined fingers of the first spring, whereby certain predeterminedsets of links are each biased by at least two superposed coacting springfingers and the remaining sets of links are each biased by one springfinger only.

References Cited n the are of this atent UNITED STATES PATENTS 482,317Petit Sept. 6, 1892 2,024,622 Bates Dec. 17, 1935 2,319,273 Sterling May18, 1943 2,343,905 Henz'e et al Mar. 14, 1944

